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The District celebrated the Peace River and the Peace River watershed by holding a series of events along the river during “Peace River Watershed Awareness Week” in April. The week was recognized by the District’s Peace River Basin Board, the state legislature and participating county governments. Each of the four events within the Peace River watershed was designed to create watershed awareness, showcase the commitment to protecting the watershed and foster proper… Read more

The District is refurbishing a flood control structure in Citrus County that will improve reliability and the life of the structure. The S-353 flood control structure, which is located on the Tsala Apopka outfall canal, was originally built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the purpose of maintaining proper water levels and flood control.  The refurbishment began in December and will end June 1. It will improve the reliability of remote communication by… Read more

Explore Florida’s Natural Wonders During Florida Hiking MonthFebruary is Florida Hiking Month, the perfect time to lace up your boots and hit the trails! With cooler weather and stunning landscapes, there’s no better season to explore the Sunshine State’s natural beauty. This year, we’re celebrating Florida’s hiking opportunities while highlighting the unique experiences these trails offer.

Who: Suncoast Earth Force, Southwest Florida Water Management District staff, educators and approximately 600 students from Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties, 21 local environmental agenciesWhat: 9th Annual Youth SummitThe annual summit is sponsored by Suncoast Earth Force, a Tampa Bay area nonprofit educational organization.The summit brings together hundreds of youth, educators and community partners who have been involved in Earth Force programs during the past… Read more

Talmadge G. Jerry Rice Tuesday was unanimously elected by his peers to serve as Governing Board chair of the Southwest Florida Water Management District.Other Board officers selected include Judith C. Judy Whitehead, vice chair; Jennifer E. Closshey, treasurer; and C.A. “Neil” Combee, Jr., secretary.Chair Jerry RiceRice of Dade City was appointed to the Governing Board in March 2003. He was elected the Boards Treasurer in May 2004. Rice is also… Read more

District Outreach It flew with the troops fighting in Iraq. Now it serves as a big “thank you” to staff at the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Bartow Service Office for their generosity. Staff Sergeant Anthony Pieske presented an American flag to the Bartow employees while on leave from the 332nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron. Anthony’s wife, Samantha, is a field technician in Bartow. The Bartow Service Office serves residents in Polk, Hardee, and… Read more

It’s not every day someone receives recognition from the President of the United States. However, an equestrian volunteer group and two off-road bike volunteers who take part in the District’s Land Resources Volunteer Program have received such an honor. The President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation recognized the South Creek Equestrian Club and Jonathan and Sharon Noll from the Wilderness Trails Association for each group contributing more than 4,000… Read more

Michael Babb will remain the chair of the Governing Board of the Southwest Florida Water Management District. The Governing Board voted today to keep its current officers.  The other officer positions are: Randy Maggard, vice chair; and Jeff Adams, secretary. David Dunbar was elected treasurer. They serve one-year terms.… Read more

Michael Babb will remain the chair of the Governing Board of the Southwest Florida Water Management District. The Governing Board voted today to keep its current officers.  The other officer positions are: Randy Maggard, vice chair; and Jeff Adams, secretary. David Dunbar was elected treasurer. They serve one-year terms.… Read more

Michael Babb will remain the chair of the Governing Board of the Southwest Florida Water Management District. The Governing Board voted today to keep its current officers.  The other officer positions are: Randy Maggard, vice chair; and Jeff Adams, secretary. David Dunbar was elected treasurer. They serve one-year terms.… Read more

Judy Whitehead, Governing Board chair and chair ex officio of the District’s Coastal Rivers Basin Board, and her husband, Don, enjoy spending time with their grandsons, Pierson and Daniel. Judy Whitehead was surprised and gratified that her fellow Governing Board members thought enough of her to elect her as their chair. “I’m not particularly brilliant or knowledgeable. I’m just a small-town grandma,” she said. Despite her modesty, her fellow Board members… Read more

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to update flood hazard maps in DeSoto and Hardee counties.Governments, insurance companies and individuals all use FEMA flood insurance rate maps, or FIRMs, to identify flooding risk and to plan for potential flooding. With the updated flood maps, communities can better manage development in and around floodplains and prepare for and mitigate against flood disaster… Read more

Left: From left, Linda Prescott, Hillsborough Community College professor, and District staff members Lenore Balden, senior human resources generalist; John Frascone, office support supervisor; Earl Rich; Elaine Kuligofski, human resources director; Gene Schiller, deputy executive director of management services; and Roberta Starks, water quality monitoring program manager. Right: Earl Rich (right), with Hillsborough Community College President Gwendolyn W. Stephenson,… Read more

Four Governing Board members have the opportunity to lead the Board this year; three of whom will be taking on new roles. Judith C. “Judy” Whitehead was unanimously elected to serve as Governing Board chair. She previously served as Board vice chair and looks forward to her new role. “We have a wonderful cross section of representation and I am grateful that such intelligent, cooperative people have been chosen to serve on the Board. I’m gratified that… Read more

Kurt Durham’s brother-in-law may have brought him to the District, but the familylike atmosphere at the District’s Sarasota Service Office keeps him here. In 1987, Jack MacDonald, who used to work in the District’s Regional Observation and Monitor-Well Program, called Durham and told him the District “was looking for bodies.” He applied even though he didn’t know anything about being a field technician. “When I started I was green as grass,”… Read more

Governing Board Chair Neil Combee The new Governing Board chair’s handshake is firm and dry, his gaze direct and steady. It’s easy to picture him as a linebacker at Lakeland High School, zeroing in on the opposing team’s running back. The shortest distance between two points is a straight line. It’s also easy to imagine him, after a crushing tackle, helping the guy up and then telling him a funny story after the game. If a person can be defined by place… Read more

 District staff and contractors discuss floodplain concerns with residents. Dozens of Hernando County residents who live in the Bystre Lake watershed recently attended an open house to learn more about potential flood risk changes to their properties. The residents had previously received letters from the District notifying them of the potential changes and invited them to the open house. This open house is just one in a series of public workshops being… Read more